The Chalkboard Week 6 GPP Strategy – Tight End

Hey LineupLogic listeners! I would like to welcome you to “The Chalkboard”. In these articles, I will give my take on some possible under-owned pivots to chalky players and why they could be a better option. Choosing some of these lower owned players in GPPs will give you an edge on the competition and possibly help you take home some serious cash.

The Chalkboard – Tight End

Chalk

Travis Kelce ($7,200) KC vs Pit

Pros – Kelce is one of the best offensive threats on the Chiefs. He has posted 7+ receptions and 98+ yards in 3 of 5 games this year. He can go off on any given week and he is almost a lock to be targeted 8 or more times every single week. This game should be close and Kansas City will be looking to get the ball to one of their most reliable assets.

Cons – Pittsburg is only allowing 44 yards and 4.6 receptions per game to tight ends this year. They are 24th in fantasy points allowed to the position and can shut down nearly any player if they try to.

Pivot

Jordan Reed ($6,500) Was vs SF

Pros – Jordan Reed is one of the best tight ends in the league and this matchup looks awful on paper. Take into account who the Niners have faced this year. Greg Olsen, Jimmy Graham, Tyler Higbee, Jermaine Gresham and Brandon Williams. The Rams, Colts and Cardinals are in the bottom half of the league (ranked 18th, 30th and 31st) in tight end fantasy points per game. Cam Newton and Russell Wilson didn’t start playing well until the past couple of weeks and neither QB threw for over 200 yards against the Niners. SanFrancisco has been so good against TEs due to bad quarterback play and bad tight ends. Reed is in a good game script with a quarterback who has been playing incredibly over the past couple of weeks. Reed has amazing talent and will be insanely low owned this week. Because the 49ers haven’t played against very many good tight ends this year, it’s not crazy to think that Reed could have a great game against them on Sunday.

Cons – We don’t know how Reed’s rib injury will affect him. He mentioned that he isn’t at 100% and that could lead to Washington limiting his snaps or re-injuring himself. There are inherent risks choosing any player who isn’t 100% and I completely understand if you choose to fade Reed this week.

Chalk

Hunter Henry ($5,400) LAC @ Oak

Pros – Henry has caught a touchdown in each of the last 2 games. There is chemistry between Henry and Rivers and we all know how much Rivers loves throwing to his tight ends.

Cons – The problem I have with Henry is that he has had 2 games without a target. Rivers may favor Gates in one game and Henry in the next. Until he proves that his target volume is reliable, I can’t label Henry as a safe play.

Pivot

Evan Engram ($5,300) NYG @ Den

Pros – Denver is allowing the 6th most FPPG to tight ends so far this year. It’s the one exploitable part of their defense and Engram has a shot to have a monster game this week. The Giants are down FOUR receivers and who else are they going to throw to? D you really think that Eli will put his trust their practice squad guys? I think he will be relying heavily on Engram this week and he could see upwards of 10 targets.

Cons – While the Denver defense may be bad against tight ends, they could completely shut down Engram this week. They don’t have that much to worry about when it comes to containing these wideouts who couldn’t make a 53 man roster. Due to that, they could put all their efforts into shutting down Engram leading to an abysmal fantasy outing. Engram is high risk/high reward, boom or bust or however you want to define it. It’s up to you whether or not to take the risk, but Engram could be the piece to help take down a GPP this week.

Chalk

George Kittle ($5,300) SF @ Was

Pros – Kittle is in a great matchup on paper against a Redskins unit allowing 3rd most FPPG to the tight end through five weeks. Kittle received 9 targets last week and could surpass that in this contest when the Niners will need to play catch up.

Cons – The Redskins have faced Zach Ertz and Travis Kelce which could be affecting their stats against the tight end. They have had a solid defense this year and Kittle hasn’t proven that he is a top tier TE and could be a bust this week.

Pivot

Austin Hooper ($4,800) Atl vs Mia

Pros – Hooper received 7 targets in Atlanta’s last game compared to 6 in his first three contests. When Mohammed Sanu went down, the Falcons gave a lot of those looks to Hooper and he should get that same opportunity this week with Sanu out once again. The Dolphins have allowed the 5th most fantasy points per game to the tight end this year and Hooper could be in for a breakout game.

Cons – One worry is that he won’t receive the same volume of targets as he did last week and he could only receive 2 targets as he did in the first three weeks. I don’t see that happening and due to Sanu sitting out this game, Hooper is one of the best values at the position this week.

That’s it for my week 6 tight end breakdown. Be sure to check out my QB, RB and WR “chalkboard” articles as well. Follow me on twitter @joejberg where I am open to answering any fantasy related questions you may have. Thanks for reading and let’s go out and make some money!